Cuyahoga Valley National Park
National Park
Though a short distance from the urban areas of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park seems worlds away. The park is a refuge for native plants and wildlife, and provides routes of discov...
Compiled and reviewed by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy · Last reviewed Apr 17, 2026 · Editorial standards
Drive Time
3h 11m
Distance
160.3 mi
258 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$25
one way
EV Charging
Unknown
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
Cleveland, OH
Wikimedia Commons
Reno, OH
Jovan Vasiljević
Cleveland to Reno is 160.3 miles and takes about 3h 11m via I 77 and State Route 21, with a fuel budget near $25 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This quick trip stays within the Midwest, specifically Ohio, making it a straightforward journey. With 97% of the drive on highways, you'll experience a predominantly high-speed transit. Given its short duration and single day recommendation, it's ideal for a quick relocation or a visit without requiring an overnight stay.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
80.2 miles from Cleveland, OH
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 1h 42m into the drive .
Weekend Trip
Doable as a same-day drive at 3h 11m. Total distance: 160.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 1 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
3h 11m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (97%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
This route is overwhelmingly a highway-focused drive, with 97% of the 160.3 miles on high-speed roads like I 77. Expect long stretches of efficient travel, including an uninterrupted segment of 80.8 miles on I 77. While the majority is interstate, the inclusion of State Route 21 and Willow Freeway suggests a potential for slightly varied road conditions as you approach your destination. The overall feel is one of consistent, forward momentum, minimizing time spent on slower local roads.
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 77 and State Route 21. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.2 miles in near US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street.
Demanding - plan breaks and stay ahead of the key maneuvers
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 13 significant decision points across 160.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.2 miles (US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street): Lane positioning matters here; at 1.7 miles (SR 10): Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 27.9 miles (SR 21 / State Route 21): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
These are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
Turn right onto US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87 / Ontario Street
Lane positioning matters here
Take the ramp onto SR 10 toward I 77 South, I 490: Akron
Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 21 / State Route 21
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit onto US 250
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Take the exit toward SR 7: Marietta
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 77 | 80.8 mi | 1h 26m |
| State Route 21 | 28.7 mi | 35m |
| Willow Freeway | 26 mi | 31m |
| US 62 | 9.8 mi | 15m |
| US 250 | 9.6 mi | 11m |
| Pike Street | 2.9 mi | 4m |
| Ontario Street | 0.8 mi | 1m |
| Orange Avenue | 0.7 mi | 1m |
Step-by-step road directions between Cleveland, OH and Reno, OH.
Start on Frankfort Avenue
Turn left onto West 3rd Street
Turn left onto US 6; US 20; US 42; SR 3
Turn right onto US 6; US 20
Turn right onto US 422; SR 8; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87
Continue on US 422; SR 8; SR 10; SR 14; SR 43; SR 87
Take the ramp onto SR 10
Merge onto I 77; SR 10
Keep slight right at fork onto SR 21
Turn straight onto US 62; SR 21
Continue on US 250
Take the exit onto US 250
Keep slight left at fork onto I 77
Take the exit
Keep slight left at fork
Turn left onto SR 7
Continue on SR 7
Continue on SR 7
Turn left
Arrive at destination
For this 3h 11m drive, leaving in the morning is your best bet, allowing ample time for the 160.3-mile journey and any unforeseen delays. With a recommended 1-day trip and a fuel cost estimated at $25, you won't need to worry about extensive overnight planning. The longest stretch without a break is over 80 miles on I 77, so plan a brief stop around that point for fuel or a stretch. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge, as highway service areas can sometimes be spaced out, especially on the longer interstate segments.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 35 miles or 44m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 80.2 miles or 1h 42m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 2h 37m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Reno, OH than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Cleveland, OH so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Cleveland, OH
This is one driving day of about 160.3 miles and 3h 11m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 80.2 mi from Cleveland, OH · 1h 42m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
80 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 35 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 80.2 miles from Cleveland, OH, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 77 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 80.8 miles.
The final approach into Reno, OH usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Reno, OH.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
National Park
Though a short distance from the urban areas of Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park seems worlds away. The park is a refuge for native plants and wildlife, and provides routes of discov...
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
Regular Gas
$24.88 one way
$49.76 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.38 | $27.61 | $55.22 |
| premium | $4.91 | $30.98 | $61.96 |
| diesel | $5.61 | $35.39 | $70.78 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$25
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$50–$75
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 56.1 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-13.
Driving Electric?
About $17 in charging · 0 stops · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 48.1 | 0 | $16.83 | $7.69 |
| Efficient EV | 40.1 | 0 | $14.03 | $6.41 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 64.1 | 0 | $22.44 | $10.26 |
Gas CO2
56 kg
EV CO2
19 kg (66% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Origin
Afternoon in Cleveland on Friday
Local time
12:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
60°F
Unavailable
Destination
Afternoon in Reno on Friday
Local time
12:59 PM
EDT
Current temp
74°F
Unavailable
49°F
Dover, OH
80 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Compiled by the Trip.ovh planning team at COD Solutions Oy from open government datasets — OSRM over OpenStreetMap for geometry, EIA for fuel prices, and NPS for national parks. See our methodology for refresh cadence and limitations.
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